About the Friends of the Brush-Tailed Rock-Wallaby

The Friends of the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby, a non-profit group, was formed in 1995 by residents in Kangaroo Valley, but our membership has expanded to include people from throughout the Shoalhaven, Sydney, other states and overseas. We have a strong association with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (Department of Planning & Environment). We are an Incorporated group with the Department of Fair Trading and have over 100 members, our own Constitution and an Executive Committee. We are also a registered Bushcare group and have Tax-deductible donation status.

Our aim

Our aim is to increase the numbers of Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies by reducing threats to its survival and to create a better environment for the species to breed. Our group’s objectives are to:

Provide support for and to foster public awareness of the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby.
Assist with special projects selected by the group in consultation with the National Parks and Wildlife Service and/or other groups.
Support the effective conservation of native flora and fauna.
Raise funds for projects aimed at recovering the species.
Promote the control of feral species impacting on Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies.

Our vision

A future where Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies thrive in the wild in a biodiverse Australia.

Our Mission

To support the recovery of the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby in the Shoalhaven region by:

developing community support,
providing education for the next generation,
raising public awareness, and
being an advocate for the conservation of the threatened Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby.

To actively collaborate with other groups working for the recovery of the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby and fostering a biodiverse Australia.

Our constitution

View our full constitution.

View our Recovery Strategy.

Our activities

We support the local National Parks and Wildlife Service fox control program and encourage others to do so. We foster important research and conduct education and community awareness. Many of the Friends participate in fox control on their properties as part of a network of bait stations throughout the Shoalhaven. We had direct input into the development of the NSW Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby Recovery Plan and continue to play a key role in the ‘Community Involvement’ Actions listed within the Plan. As the Plan states, “The successful implementation of Recovery Actions relies on the participation of all sectors of the community”.

How we use the funds we raise

The Friends has hosted numerous fundraising events and regularly participate in local community events. Funds raised by the Friends have been used to:

Conduct school education programs within the Shoalhaven.
Fund feral fox control around Rock-wallaby colonies within Southern NSW
Produce information brochures on Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies and fox control.
Produce a video on the plight of Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies and what is being done to assist in saving the species in the Shoalhaven.
Support local community events in Kangaroo Valley.
Fund research projects into juvenile male Rock-wallabies to track travelling in and around colonies.
Partially fund translocation of Rock-wallabies between colonies to improve genetics and survival of the specie.

Partnerships and relevant links

Grants & awards

Our group has received a number of grants and awards for our work on Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies:

Since 2010 we have received a $6500 Catchment Improvement and Protection Grant from WaterNSW, $9000 from a Caring For Our Country Community Action Grant, a Veolia Mulware Community Grant and $40,000+ over 3 years through a Environment Trust (ET) Community Education Grant. The ET Grant – Building Resilience in our Community – allowed the Friends to conduct an extensive School Education Program over 3 years, a pest awareness and management training day in Kangaroo Valley and a follow-up SurveyMonkey questionnaire to compare with our 2010 community survey on pest issues as well as to create and widely disseminate an educational Documentary (On the Edge) and brochures. To read the glowing acquittal letter for this ET Grant from Peter Dixon, Minister for Grants, NSW click here.
In 2015 we were awarded a Special Commendation in the Community Award category by the United Nations Association of Australia, for excellence in education, partnerships, introduced predator management and engendering community support.
In 2006 we received funding from the Southern Rivers Catchment Management Authority for expanding fox control efforts in the Shoalhaven using trapping and shooting methods.
In 2003 we received funding from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service ‘Save Our Species’ program for the production of an information brochure on fox control and the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby.
In 2001 we received funding with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Highlands Area Office, from the Foundation for National Parks to conduct a School Education program on the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby and other threatened species at six schools within the Shoalhaven.
In 1997 we received an AGL Friends of National Parks Award for highly commended efforts in conservation for National Parks in NSW.
In 1996 we received the Readers Digest Fiftieth Anniversary Award for Environmental Endeavour.